July 2003 - Monthly Fatality Report

Department of Public Safety officials report a decrease of 34 traffic fatalities in July for a total of 50,
compared to 84 in the same month last year.

Two of the 50 victims were pedestrians and six were motorcyclists which leaves the total of those killed
in vehicle crashes at 42. The highest daily numbers include 14 deaths on Fridays dropping to 10 on both
Tuesdays and Thursdays. There were nine deathless days in the month.

Fourteen of the vehicle crashes were alcohol-related in the opinion of the investigating state, county
or municipal officer. There were 36 male and 14 female victims, and four of the fatalities were not residents
of Oklahoma.

The leading number of deaths by age group was 17 in the 21- to 30-year-olds followed by 10 in the 31- to
40-year-old category. Oklahoma County led the state with a fatality count of eight followed by four deaths
in Tulsa County.

Fifty-eight percent of those who died in traffic crashes were not wearing safety belts at the time
of the crash, according to DPS statistics. Unsafe speed continues to be the number one cause for fatalities
with a count of 15 last month. Six people died because the driver failed to stop or yield and three traveled
left of center or made an illegal pass.